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Neuvillette walks in on Wriothesley, who is napping at the couch in his office. Once in a while, he falls asleep so soundly after a good match in the pankration ring. Of course, he has made sure that everything has been in order and there isn't any rush work.
The one who let the judge in was Sigewinne. There won't be times when the Iudex come here, and either Wriothesley or Sigewinne won't be notified.
Neuvillette slowly goes down on one knee next to the couch. His keen eyes are watching the rise and fall of the duke's chest.
He isn't planning on waking up Wriothesley. Though he wonders if this is alright for him to not already stir at the presence of someone else in here. Doesn't mean to accuse him of being reckless. The guards here may have at least shown they can be trusted to stand there.
But he is already so close, and still..
One of his hands is placed at the edge of the couch, and he hovers just slightly above the man who hasn't even twitched his eyebrows, mouth, or anything.. But Neuvillette, too, gets so caught up in the temperature that steadily radiates from Wriothesley’s body that he hasn't noticed the change of the other person's breathing.
Until a hand pulls at his jabot, as strongly as to make him leaning down even more, enough that he couldn't stop the slip of his long hair over the shoulder as a result. And it stops when they are close enough for someone to bury his nose next to the base of the other one’s neck.
Wriothesley quietly inhales the scent of the overworld that lingers on his lover's layers. They are still too many for him to get through to his true scent. But this is also already good.
He just woke up, no doubt. Though, the realization of Neuvillette being here makes him reach out before his wakefulness comes into full view.
He blinks slowly while the grip loosens, and one moment later returns with some strength. Sly smile appears as he teases the ornament on top of the neck piece with his fingertips as allowing Neuvillette to have some space.
“Sorry for having you to be greeted by me in this state, monsieur.” The one who is addressed, who tries to come back from having to suddenly hold himself from toppling over, for certain, is seemingly disapproved of his current doing.
“But you, you were also being too close. Did you decide to investigate my wrongdoings in my sleep?” He just jests, and he does this sometimes when they are at either of their offices. Talking like not being something more than people who have been working together.
“Wriothesley..” Neuvillette starts, only to be quickly paused by a finger and an apologizing kiss.
“Sorry.” This time, he means it. And the Iudex isn't being displeased there. If anything, he just was about to feel distressed and, it’s as easy as Wriothesley can jokingly say that they are not together or something of the sort at times.
While he has been very physical, his words aren't as honest as Neuvillette yet. They both agree on how the duke will change that gradually.
It isn't that hurtful, but his lover deserves more. And it isn't like he won't receive something due to the effort of the other person in return; his resolve to change, for him too.
“You got off work early?” He either wants to get up and hold his hand to kiss properly, still feeling a bit guilty of his running mouth, or ask Neuvillette to lie down with him. The latter probably will make them feel a bit uncomfortable, but he'd love for them to nestle close.
The silver-haired man nods. This is what they talked about, the change he promises to make.
Wriothesley smiles silently at that at first. Trying to stop himself from feeling sorry for his partner again. At least on his side, he can try and probably can do it better already next time. Now, he needs to reward him with something.
“The mood I ruined aside, I want to give you something for this.” Seems to him that Neuvillette also wants to change the topic. He’s too kind and doesn't want to be too hard on him after all.
“I'm not particularly wanting anything..” But he is also unsure of what to ask for. And if Wriothesley leaves the choice to him to decide, it will be a dead end soon.
“It's alright, until there'll be a time when you have what you want.” He assures his lover while still thinking of what to give.
“It's still a while until evening, so how's about we go up to have some light meals, or afternoon tea?” Spending time in each other's company, date, in the overworld might be good. That way, he could also take the Iudex home, maybe at the very door of his chamber.
“Sounds pleasant, but I might ask for it another time instead.” Answers as he moves from the floor to sit gently at the side of the couch. So close to Wriothesley's torso and his arm.
“I would rather remain here with you..” After he hears of the suggestion, then he consequently realizes what he wanted at the moment.
No way that Neuvillette can read his thoughts, but it is a nice surprise there.
“If that's really what you want.” Almost says too quickly, though this time, he gets only a soft smile from what he says. He feels dumbfounded for a moment and finally lets himself look happy.
“Here?” He asks sheepishly again, scooting over as best on the couch that isn't designed to accommodate two tall people. But it has to do.
The possible uncomfortableness that he thought about before, however, whether it is his intention to lie down or not, Neuvillette doesn't say anything otherwise. He just takes off his robe, folds it, and leaves it on the table nearby.
His chest is leaner than the duke's anyway, so in the end, they are fitted on the couch by both of them lying on their sides.
Wriothesley pecks his nose, knowing that any kind of playful contact won't get him scolded as long as it doesn't go overboard.
Then a hand pulls Neuvillette's neck gently so they can kiss. He remotely remembers that the long hair wouldn't fit in this space, but he'll think of it later.
But before long, it isn't a problem anymore when the man he’s kissing uses his astonishing strength to heave him on top. He chokes a woah and wow, but not really loud.
The one underneath seems to not worry about being crushed, like his build isn't an issue. Hence he tries to settle there. Luckily, he’s dressed down and also took a quick shower before. Then he heard the satisfied hum.
And he can't help but nip at the fine jaw, stifling laughter when the hum stops in its track. But the arms also slithers to hold him in place, to help him stay confidently in place..
He likes this too much. He thought; yeah, “I might have dreamed of this..” The murmur is heard only by Neuvillette.
The gem-like eyes are searching into him for a while. “I've taken what I want, what's yours..?” Soft voice asking, he became quite admirable in reading people- Wriothesley, these days.
Instead of telling more of what he had thought to do, this good lover, right this moment, made it quite easy for something.
“I love you, you know?”And he leans his face down to whisper it so close, to almost pour it directly to one of his long ears.
“..Maybe I wish to be with you in all my waking moments. No, I know I have to be realistic. I'm just saying.. I miss you and, hmm, want you that much.” When the embrace gets tighter, it’s his turn to hum.
Honest, it isn't too hard to be. Despite that, he thinks he might not be able to say these things often. The warmth will likely coax him every time, but sometimes, he'd still prefer showing his love and sincerity through actions.
“I shall be here until tonight.. or tomorrow then.” Though he has to go back in the early morning, it will be some time, enough time before then.
There doesn't have to be a question to confirm it. What the Iudex says are all true. Wriothesley presses 'thank you' from his lips onto that ear.
After a minute of listening to the comforting silence between them, he gingerly adds, “Next time, if you're done looking, please wake me up. With a kiss, if that's alright with you?”
Maybe it’s not that he was careless. Just, for over 20 years of his life after he had gone out on the street, there have been only a few people he became less alert about. With Neuvillette he might even say that he feels- safe. It was only some seconds that he roused from sleep and familiarity as opposed to other times didn’t trigger his brain to jump.
The man beneath makes a sound of promise, if his partner asks straightforwardly, he’s more than willing to incline. He then places a soft kiss of his own on the warm cheek, and feels the stretch of a smile, if only he will tilt his head this way for him to see how it’s blinding.
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